To: Dan O’Keefe, Kevin Powers, Rick Barber, Sandy Batchelor, Clarke Harlow, Mitch Hutchcraft, Jim Moran, Melanie Peterson, Sam Accursio, and Ms. M Kivett

Save our Florida State Parks and Preserves

Dear South Florida Water Management District officials:

Please do NOT give the City of Port St Lucie a permit (Permit #56-03461-P) for the Crosstown Parkway six-lane highway and bridge for Route 1C to go through two Florida State Preserves. Allowing this bridge to go through two State Preserves sets a precedent that puts ALL State Parks in the United States in jeopardy of becoming paved over.

The law says that the least impacting alternative route must be chosen unless there is an exceptional and extraordinary circumstance, which in this case there is not.

Why is this important?

Please tell the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) NOT to give the City of Port St Lucie a permit (Permit #56-03461-P) for the Crosstown Parkway six-lane highway and bridge for Route 1C to go through two Florida State Preserves.

Allowing this bridge to go through two State Preserves sets a precedent that puts ALL State Parks in the United States in jeopardy of becoming paved over. The required environmental study says this route, which crosses the North Fork of the State Lucie River Aquatic Preserve and the Savannas Preserve State Park’s Halpatiokee Nature Trail, is the WORST route environmentally. The law says the least impacting alternative route must be chosen unless there is an exceptional and extraordinary circumstance, which in this case there is not.

There are few natural areas left in urban settings. These two Forida state preserves have endangered, threatened and species of concern, and are essential fish habitats. This area helps to keep our Florida waters clean and is important for Eco-tourism.

Please sign our petition to tell the SFWMD NOT to issue Permit #56-03461-P.